Plan to tackle monsoon, cloudburst risks on cards

Chairman WASA Punjab Chaudhry Sher Ali has said a comprehensive strategy is being prepared to deal with monsoon rains, water drainage issues and possible cloudburst situations caused by climate change.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with elected members of the Punjab Assembly and government officials at Rawalpindi WASA, Chaudhry Sher Ali said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had increased the number of WASA institutions in Punjab from five to 41, reflecting her strong interest in resolving water supply and sewerage problems.

He said authorities had gained full awareness of the city's issues and that the chief minister was giving special attention to WASA affairs. Following the establishment of the Punjab WASA Authority, the scope of the institution had been expanded across the province.

He said an emergency plan had been prepared to improve drainage systems during the monsoon season, while a comprehensive strategy had also been devised to minimise losses from cloudbursts and heavy rains.

Chaudhry Sher Ali said encroachments along Nullah Lai had narrowed the water passage and that operations against illegal constructions were continuing across Punjab.

He acknowledged that Rawalpindi continued to face a water shortage of 19 million gallons per day, adding that the shortfall would be eliminated after the completion of ongoing projects, including Daducha Dam and Chahan Dam.

He said a uniform billing system had been introduced in WASA under which consumers would pay according to water usage. The minimum water tariff has been fixed at Rs718, while five-marla houses are being given a subsidy of Rs400 on bills.

He added that the tanker service was being expanded in areas lacking water supply.

Describing rainwater harvesting and underground water tanks as highly important, he said work on the projects was under way. A large underground water tank had already been constructed at Saddar Underpass.

He said he was proposing to the government that rainwater harvesting systems be made mandatory in all new constructions so that water resources could be utilised more effectively.